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IOC30 Dec 2025, 16:45 from InsideTheGamesOrganization mentioned: IOC
Kirsty Coventry's first year as IOC president has been marked by a 'Pause and Reflection' period, leading to structural reforms like the 'Ready for the Future' initiative and dedicated working groups focused on youth games, the Olympic program, commercial partnerships, and athlete welfare. She has prioritized listening to members, reassessing processes like host city selection, and strengthening ties with key partners like China. Key decisions include ending collaboration with Saudi Arabia for the Olympic Esports Games and allowing Individual Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at Milano Cortina 2026. The upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar represent significant tests for her administration.
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IOC27 Dec 2025, 17:19 from InsideTheGames
A new team padel circuit, the Hexagon World Series, has been officially launched through a collaboration between the Hexagon Cup, 54 Group, and the International Padel Federation (FIP). This series, fully integrated into the FIP calendar, aims to expand padel's global reach and strengthen its bid for inclusion in the Olympic Games. The initiative, backed by significant investment from 54 Group, will feature mixed-gender teams and equal prize money, complementing existing tours like Premier Padel. Details regarding the format, teams, and schedule will be released in 2026.
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IOC27 Dec 2025, 05:39 from SportsInOrganization mentioned: IOC
A report details how Juan Antonio Samaranch, during his tenure at the International Olympic Committee (IOC, 458), miscalculated the political role of Islam and appeased Iranian authorities, inadvertently legitimizing restrictions on Iranian women athletes. Initiatives like the Islamic Women’s Games, supported by Samaranch and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, reinforced strict Islamic regulations rather than promoting women's freedom in sport. The report highlights decades of discrimination against Iranian women in sports following the 1979 Revolution and criticizes the IOC's failure to adequately address the issue.
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IOC26 Dec 2025, 17:07 from InsideTheGames
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced numerous suspensions of tennis players in December 2025, stemming from corruption and doping violations. Notable cases include Maikel Villalona (4.5-year suspension), Pang Renlong (12-year suspension), Quentin Folliot (20-year suspension), and provisional suspensions for Juan Sebastian Dominguez Collado and Jessica Eudovic due to clostebol presence. These suspensions highlight ongoing efforts to combat match-fixing and doping within the sport.
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IOC22 Dec 2025, 21:44 from SportsIn
Leaked documents reveal potential conflicts of interest involving IOC member Ser Miang Ng and his influence on the inclusion of Virtual Taekwondo within the Olympic Esports Games. Ng's family connections to companies benefiting from esports-related decisions have sparked controversy, alongside a $20 million financial shortfall and loss of Saudi sponsorship. This situation raises concerns about the governance of esports within the Olympic movement and contrasts with the efforts of IESF president Vlad Marinescu to establish robust regulatory frameworks.